A dream.
Was this a dream?
Leca found himself drifting through the air.
It felt like flying through fog. Thick, hazy clouds stretched in every direction.
The air was heavy and dry.
Why am I here…?
Somewhere between cloud and mist, a voice echoed.
—"Many young spirits die like this after their coming-of-age."
"…Father?"
It was his father's voice.
But there was no figure—only the voice, ringing all around him. Leca turned in circles, calling out.
"Father, where are you?!"
—"Answer me, son. Why did you make that choice? Did you forget that a spirit who disobeys a master's order faces only death?"
"…It was a split-second decision. I couldn't… betray a friend."
—"Foolish young spirits often die for that very reason. The Spirit's Oath is sacred. If you value your life, don't act so recklessly again."
Again?
"…What does that mean? Then—I'm alive? Where am I?"
A pause. Silence pressed against the clouds. Then the voice returned.
—"…Yes. You're not in the human world right now. You're in the Spirit Realm."
"The Spirit Realm? But why—?"
—"I asked my master. He said it's because you're not a full spirit. You're half-human.That's why you didn't vanish completely when the oath was broken. Your body fell into a coma, and your soul drifted here for a few days."
"…I see…"
—"But don't take that as permission to defy orders. If anyone learns of your human blood, you won't be allowed to serve as a spirit anymore. And humans won't accept you either."
"…It's already come to that. So where do I go from here?"
—"I told His Majesty—the merciful and wise King of Sibareth—everything.He said he understands. He also heard the story about the sphinxes… and chose to let it go."
"I… I don't know how to thank him…"
—"Then repay his mercy with loyalty. You'll wake in two days. The king said he'll keep your secret. So be grateful. And live quietly."
"…'Quietly,' huh…"
—"Yes. It means stay away from useless palace intrigue."
As if that's up to me, Leca thought. Everyone in this palace lives like a candle flame in the wind.
The clouds began to fade.His father's voice vanished.
Leca called out again—but there was no answer.
--------------------------------------------------
Just as his father had said, Leca woke exactly two days later.
He felt no pain. His body was fine—just a bit weak, but otherwise normal.
His friend Lily stormed in to visit. She was fuming with rage, blaming it all on "that ridiculous girl Shamanaz."
Leca blinked.
"How do you even know about that?"
"A lot happened while you were asleep! Someone saw Shamanaz and that mage she hired messing with the sphinxes!"
"…Are you serious?"
"I'm dead serious! But of course, His Majesty decided to just let it go.
That brat's family is loaded, and the Grand Vizier is her godfather! She thinks she owns the palace!"
Shamanaz's father was a high noble who made vast wealth through trade with Naizman and Muria.
He ranked among the top three richest families in all of Sibareth—even Leca knew that.
"Then… what about the part about me? Did people find out?"
Leca pressed his hand to his forehead. His father had told him to keep his bloodline a secret.
But if rumors were already spreading…
"Everyone knows you covered for that brat because you were her friend."
Lily sighed.
"But honestly, that's probably the only reason you got off light. His Majesty decided to bury it—so you didn't face any real punishment."
Leca blinked slowly. Apparently, no one really knew about the Spirit Oath.
Everyone thought he'd just been pardoned by the king. They didn't know he'd burst into flame.
That day, it had only been the two of them—just the king and Leca. So long as His Majesty kept the secret, no one would ever know.
Leca felt a fresh wave of gratitude. The very next day, he returned to duty.
King Minophon appointed him to the Holy Knights. His exceptional command of both magic and combat made it possible.
Most mages lacked battle strength, and most warriors had little or no magic.
Only a rare few could wield both. Those few made up the Holy Knights.
Leca took on his new duties with pride.
Now that he was a knight, he had no time to wander the palace with Julius or Shamanaz anymore.
Leca didn't see them again for a while.
At times, he wondered whether the love potion Shamanaz had caused such a stir over actually worked—but he never thought to ask.
Then one day—
As he was passing by, he overheard the sound of a man and woman arguing near the Rose Garden.
"How could you?! You've never even given me a flower! How could you—?!"
"It's none of your business! Stay out of it!"
"How am I supposed to stay out of it?! I can't stand seeing you give flowers to someone else!"
…Those voices.
They sounded familiar. Leca stopped.
They were unmistakably Shamanaz and Julius. He turned to leave quietly—but just then, Julius emerged from the bushes.
He scowled, glancing at Leca from head to toe without a word, then walked right past him.
Moments later, Shamanaz burst out. She looked like she was about to run after Julius, but stopped when she saw Leca.
"…It's been a while."
"It has."
"I heard what happened. 'm glad you're okay."
"…'Okay'?"
Leca's brow twitched.
"I asked a mage about the Spirit's Oath. They said you almost died because of me. But apparently, you survived because you're half-human."
Leca froze.
"…Who told you that…?"
Shamanaz gave a small, bitter smile.
"Don't worry. The only ones who know you're a half-blood are me and that mage. I haven't told a soul."
"…Should I be grateful for that?"
Leca said it heavily. Shamanaz replied just as solemnly.
"I'm sorry. I knew you wouldn't die from breaking the oath, but…I'll never use that against you again. I promise."
"So…The potion didn't work, huh?"
Leca recalled the argument he'd overheard and said it bluntly.
Shamanaz gave a wistful smile.
"I never even made it. Funny, right? After all that chaos to get sphinx blood, I couldn't find the last ingredient. So it never happened."
Leca couldn't understand why Shamanaz was so obsessed with Julius.
Sure, he was the most handsome man in the kingdom—skilled, powerful, always surrounded by women…
But he was also cold. Arrogant. Manipulative and selfish.
Did she just… not see those things? Or did love really make people this blind?
Why don't I understand any of this?
Leca suddenly wondered if he was really all that different from Julius.
A physical exam or a mind probe…?
Mia hesitated—then slowly raised her head.
"I won't do either. No one has the right to examine my body or my mind."
"What?!"
"Unbelievable! This girl's arrogance has no limits! She dares to take advantage of His Majesty's mercy!"
Several elders shouted, pointing fingers and yelling at Mia. She stood firm, refusing to let their noise shake her.
At that moment—A royal attendant entered the chamber.
"Your Majesty, Grand Vizier Jakiel has arrived."
Soon after, the vizier swept in, brown robes swirling around him. Mia thought the black diamond on his staff gleamed more ominously than ever today.
"Forgive my delay, Your Majesty."
"No apology needed. Is your health well?"
"Thanks to your concern, I'm recovering."
He knelt, then stood. His eyes moved to Mia.
"It seems more trouble has arisen because of this young lady. I've been briefed on the situation."
The king shrugged and chuckled. Unlike the elders, he didn't seem especially concerned.
"Perhaps this is the gods' way of telling me not to get sick."
"Your Majesty, and honored elders of the Twelve Bloodlines. Since she must undergo a rite of passage anyway, I would like to propose a solution."
What now? Go ahead. Pitch something outrageous—I'll reject it all.
And if it comes to that, I'll leave. Who cares about being queen anyway?
Mia thought bitterly, preparing to fight.
Jakiel gave a sly smile and spoke.
"I, Jakiel Mayer Lapis, humbly propose the Trial of the Unicorn as her rite of passage. I believe this will resolve all doubts—cleanly and honorably."
"Unicorn? Ohh… Brilliant!"
"A true statesman! Of course, how could we forget such a method?"
Suddenly, the room erupted in chatter and praise. Mia grew nervous.
The Trial of the Unicorn? What the hell is that?!
The elders were clapping and cheering, but the king looked slightly puzzled.
Seeing that, Mia's anxiety only deepened.
"The Trial of the Unicorn…Isn't that a bit… dangerous?"